A blog dedicated to the Melungeons and their descendents and to the world in which they have lived . . .

Thursday, September 17, 2009

The Gibson Family of Louisa County, Virginia

Shepard "Old Buck" Gibson was one of the oldest and now best known of the Melungeons in what became Hancock County, Tennessee. He is believed to have migrated from Louisa County,Virginia to Hancock (then Hawkins) County by way of Wilkes County, North Carolina. However, his exact connection to the 18th century Gibson family of Louisa County is unclear and unproven.

To quote Jack Goins and Loaetta Reddington :

It is traditionally believed Shepard Gibson, born about 1765, was the son of Andrew Gibson. Believed to be the son of George and Mary Gibson of Louisa County, VA and Orange County, North Carolina. This George was a brother to Gedion and Jordan, sons of Gilbert Gibson. (Louisa County, VA Wills and Deeds). By 1790 Andrew Gibson was listed as part of a Company (militia?) in Wilkes County, NC. This part of Wilkes County became Ashe County in 1799. One indication that Shepard was related to the elder Andrew was, he named his first son Andrew who was born 1809 according to the information given for him on the 1850 census of Hancock County, Tennessee. Historian William Groshe’s notes state that Shepard, who would have been about 25 years old, had already moved to Tennessee from Virginia before the 1790 census. However, on August 11, 1800, Shepard entered two land deed applications in Ashe County, NC. Deed Book page 184 says: “100 acres beginning near the mouth of a “dreen” that makes into ‘Baire’ Creek and runs up said creek”. On page 185 it further says: “50 acres beginning near George Miller’s lower line and runs down south fork of New River”.

For information about Buck Gibson and to read this quote from a previous MHS Blog entry in context: Click Here.

For genealogical information and documentation about the Gibson family of Louisa County, Virginia: Click Here.

2 comments:

''This George was a brother to Gedion and Jordan, sons of Gilbert Gibson. (Louisa County, VA Wills and Deeds). ''

>Check the link you provided. George, brother of Gideon and Jordan was married to Susannah and stayed in Louisa County. The George with wife Mary is likely the son of Gibby Gibson died in Charles City County, Va., in 1727 wife Francis -- Old George is likely the same taken to court by Phyllis Goeing for his children in Charles City County 1745.

And then you wrote;"He migrated from Louisa County,Virginia to Hancock (then Hawkins) County by way of Wilkes County, North Carolina. However, his exact connection to the 18th century Gibson family of Louisa County is unclear and unproven."

Where is the documentation Buck Gibson migrated from Louisa County via Wilkes? Gibsons from Pee Dee River were also in Wilkes County how do you know he didn't come from Pee Dee River with them if DNA shows those Gibsons were related?

This is speculation and should be written as specualtion, not fact. This is misleading and in direct conflict with;

''Sharing factual, documented information about the people historically known as Melungeons.''

I did say his connection to the Gibson family of Louisa County is "unclear and unproven." However, in light of the previous comment, I have amended the blog entry to read "He is believed to have migrated . . ." so as to remove any ambiguity.